TSA officers missed another paycheck this week, extending more than a month without pay for workers in the Triangle.
During that time, community members have organized food drives and donated gift cards to help officers cover basic expenses. But TSA officers told ABC11 that the distribution of those donations has left some feeling overlooked and frustrated.
"It's very frustrating, and so disappointing," one officer said.
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ABC11 spoke with a TSA officer who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing their job.
That officer said gift cards donated for gas and groceries do not appear to be distributed evenly among employees.
"They say if you're not there, you can't get the gift cards. Well, we've been there, and we haven't gotten the gift cards. Do better," the officer said.
The officer told ABC11 that they have received only one gift card during the shutdown and have not been offered any additional assistance.
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"I was told someone got two or three gift cards. I think two gas cards and a gift card to Food Lion," the officer said.
While the community response has included food donation drives and other gestures of support, concerns about where gift cards are going have now drawn the attention of union leadership.
"Some folks may have put their last five or $10 in the gas tank to get to work today," said Mac Johnson, president of AFGE Local 0449, which represents TSA officers.
Johnson said he has received several similar complaints and is calling on TSA leadership at RDU to immediately change how donated gift cards and gas assistance are distributed.
"Revise the manner in which you distribute those gift cards or gas costs to the employees. Do it immediately. Give it to them the same day that you receive them," Johnson said.
ABC11 reached out to TSA and RDU leadership on Thursday about the officers' claims regarding gift card distribution.
RDU officials told ABC11 that the airport defers to the TSA for the distribution of the gift cards and allows local TSA management to handle that.
TSA officers told ABC11 that they are increasingly relying on family members for financial help just to get to work and keep up with essential expenses as the shutdown continues and questions about donated assistance remain unanswered.